BUTLER TWP — The United Way of Butler County kicked off a booster campaign to raise $250,000 before the end of the fiscal year on June 30.

Leslie Osche, United Way's executive director, said today the county campaign to raise $1.5 million was doing well until early this month when the slow economy again came into play.

Recent reports from major corporate and employee donors reflect the national economic downturn resulting in a $250,000 shortfall in project income, Osche said. That includes a $100,000 loss that is the result of struggling workplace campaigns in major national retail and service industries.

But donations have slowed down because of economic pressures.

Vic Rozic of Calumet-Penreco, who is this year's campaign chairman, and Dave Dorko of Indspec, who is the United Way board chairman, have both turned to their companies, both of which have donated several thousand dollars, to help kickoff the $250K Challenge for a Better Butler County.

The United Way also is turning to new media techniques to raise money.

For the first time in the county, donors can text on their cells phones donating $10 per call and are allowed up to five calls for the United Way. Call 864-833 and type in "Butler" on your phone to make a donation.

A mailing will go out to to houses in the county, and volunteers also plan to knock on doors and meet with businesses throughout the county.

To make a donation to the United Way of Butler County, mail a check to the United Way of Butler County, 184 Pittsburgh Road, Butler, PA 16001